Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are a major source offibrous proteins in cirrhotic liver. Inducing or accelerating their apoptosis is a potential way of liver fibrosis treatment. Extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cells in tissue affects their differentiation, migration, proliferation and function. Type I collagen is the main ECM component in fibrotic liver. We have examined how this protein modifies apoptosis of normal rat HSC induced by gliotoxin, cycloheximide and cytochalasin D in vitro and spontaneous apoptosis of HSC isolated from CCl4-damaged liver. We have found that type I collagen gel enhances HSC apoptosis regardless of the agent triggering this process. and L. Bittnerová, A. Jiroutová, E. Rudolf, M. Rezácová, J. Kanta
Background and objective: Investigation of the effects of MnTnHex-2-PyP on some markers of inflammation and lipid peroxidation in an asthma mice model. Methods: The experiment was carried out on 24 female mice C57Bl/6, divided into four groups: group 1, controls; group 2, injected with ovalbumin (OVA); group 3, treated with MnTnHex-2-PyP and group 4, treated with OVA and MnTnHex-2-PyP. The animals from groups 1 and 3 were injected i.p. on days 0 and 14 with a 100 μl phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and those from groups 2 and 4 were injected with a 100 μl ovalbumin solution, containing 20 μg OVA. On days 24, 25 and 26 the mice from groups 1 and 2 were inhaled with PBS for 30 min, and those from groups 2 and 4 were given a 1% ovalbumin solution. One hour before inhalation, and 12 hours later the animals from groups 1 and 2 were injected i.p. with 100 μl PBS, and those from groups 3 and 4 received a 100 μl MnTnHex-2-Pyp solution in PBS сontaining 0.05mg/kg. Results: Ovalbumin alone (group 2) increased the total cell number, total protein content, the levels of IL-4, IL-5 and 8-isoprostane in bronchoalveolar lavage. Elevations were observed in IgE level in serum, and the malone dialdehyde (MDA) content in the lung homogenate. These markers were decreased significantly in group 4 as compared to the OVA group. Conclusions: MnTnHex-2-Pyp reduces the inflammation and lipid peroxidation in Ovalbumin-induced mice asthma model, Veneta Shopova, Lyudmil Terziev, Violeta Dancheva, Galya Stavreva, Milena Atanasova, Angelina Stoyanova, Tzvetan Lukanov, and Literatura
PURPOSE: A variety of anti-glaucomatous shunt designs have been proposed so far. This study evaluates the feasibility of a novel shunt design, the intra-scleral parathalamus implant (IPI), in a rabbit eye model. METHODS: Ten healthy albino rabbits were included. Measurements of the IOP, using TonoPenXL, as well as ocular rigidity (OR) and aqueous outflow facility (AO), using a previously described methodology, were performed in both eyes of each animal. Subsequently, the IPI was implanted at the left eye of all animals whereas the right eye served as control. Measurements of IOP were repeated at weekly intervals for 2 months postoperatively whereas measurements of OR and AO were repeated at the 1st and 2nd postoperative week. RESULTS: The IOP decreased significantly whereas the AO increased significantly postoperatively at the operated eyes. A significant postoperative decrease in OR was also recorded at the operated eyes. Respective differences at the fellow eyes were statistically not significant. Two animals developed postoperative complications and were excluded from follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results imply that the implantation of the IPI is feasible in rabbit eyes with significant favorable effects on the IOP, AO and OR. and E. T. Detorakis, K. Loggaki, N. Karyotakis, H. Ginis
In rats with leukemia activity of liver mitochondrial enzymes are decreased at 6 months. Later, we noted compensatory activation of complexes II and III of the respiratory chain and transition to decompensation stage by final deadline. The activity of complex IV of the respiratory chain remains high. These changes result from increased lipid peroxidation and decreased activity of antioxidant protection enzymes., Gulmira Kasymova, Ulugbek Zaribbaev, and Literatura
This is an experimental study of lung morphology in modeling sepsis on a background of severe purulentinflammatory disease of soft tissues (necrotizing fasciitis) by original authors' method. The study showed that early stages of sepsis (13 days) were characterized by manifestations of changes in lung tissue as vascular response, in the second period (the 7th day) by appearance and growth of nonobstructive microatelectases, whereas the third period (the 14th day) was characterized by progression of purulentnecrotic processes in soft tissues, development of surgical sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. These changes in morphological structure of lung tissue are specific for generalized septic process and consequences of necrotizing fasciitis with its septic complication., Yorkin Azizov, Alisher Ohunov, and Literatura
AIM/BACKGROUND: Pistacia terebinthus is used as a coffee substitute in the East and Southern Anatolia regions of Turkey. It contains unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, polyphenols and carotenoids. P. terebinthus has anti-inflammatory and potential antioxidant activity. In this study we evaluated the protective effects of P. terebinthus coffee (PTC) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally randomized into four groups. Chronic liver injury was induced with TAA (100 mg/kg i.p. three times weekly). The first group of rats served as control and received only tap water (G1), and the remaining groups of rats received PTC, p.o (G2); TAA (G3); TAA plus PTC, p.o (G4), respectively. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, PTC intake significantly reduced fibrosis/inflammation scores (p PTC intake reduced transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) concentrations in the liver (p PTC intake. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: PTC intake provided beneficial effects against TAA-induced liver injury in rats. PTC probably suppresses the proinflammatory cytokines through NF-κB signaling pathway. and I. H. Bahcecioglu, M. Ispiroglu, M. Tuzcu, C. Orhan, M. Ulas, U. Demirel, M. Yalniz, I. H. Özercan, N. Ilhan, K. Sahin
Background: There is emerging molecular evidence concerning the modification of miR expression pattern after the treatment with chemopreventive agents. We investigated whether a potential chemopreventive agent called "Procont" deriving from a biological system has a positive effect on the DMBA induced dysregulation of let7 a, miR21 and miR146a miRNAs. Materials and Methods: CBA/CA H2k inbred mice were fed by Procont for 7 days before the intraperitoneal injection of DMBA. After one week of the beginning of Procont diet we analized the let7a, miR21, miR146a gene expression in vital organs of mice. Results: The Procont feeding significantly decreased all of the investigated miRNA expression compared with either the mice on a normal diet in the control group or mice were exposed to DMBA alone. Conclusion: The results indicate that "Procont" diet has a potential chemopreventive effect in mice exposed to DMBA., Mónika Szirmai, Krisztina Juhász, András Bertha, Katalin Gombos, Katalin Gőcze, Ingrid Magda, Péter Révész, István Ember, and Literatura
Sulodexid je látka patřící do skupiny glykosaminoglykanů (spolu s hepariny). Ve srovnání s jinými glykosaminoglykany má sulodexid větší antitrombotické vlastnosti při současně nižším riziku krvácení a na rozdíl od heparinů je možné jeho podávání jak parenterálně, tak perorálně. Preparát má prokázány mnohočetné farmakodynamické účinky. Klinickými studiemi je dobře doložena efektivita preparátu u pacientů s klaudikacemi. Evidence účinku je také u nemocných s nejtěžšími případy chronické žilní nedostatečnosti, včetně pacientů s aktivními bércovými vředy. V případě pozitivního výsledku probíhajících studií bude možné jako další indikaci přidat sekundární prevenci žilní trombózy., Sulodexide is a compound belonging to the group of glycosaminoglycans (together with heparins). In comparison with other glycosaminoglycans, sulodexide has stronger antithrombotic properties and a lower risk of bleeding, and unlike heparin, it can be administered both parenterally and orally. Multiple pharmacodynamic effects of the preparation have been demonstrated. Clinical studies have documented the effectiveness of the drug in patients with claudication. There is evidence of its effect also in patients with the most severe cases of chronic venous insufficiency, including patients with active leg ulcers. In the case of a positive outcome of the ongoing studies, secondary prevention of venous thrombosis will be added as another indication., and Roztočil K.
Autoři prezentují případ 73leté ženy léčené v posledních 15 letech pro arteriální hypertenzi diuretiky (tiazidy, amiloridem a indapamidem) a současně antidepresivem trazodonem. Po 6 letech této léčby začala pacientka trpět manifestní osteoporózou s vícečetnými frakturami i po banálním traumatu a současně byla po celou tuto dobu dokumentována těžká hyponatremie bez adekvátní suplementace. Osteoporóza a hyponatremie u této pacientky spolu s největší pravděpodobností těsně souvisely – autoři diskutují možné patofyziologické mechanizmy na úrovni renálních tubulů, osteoblastů a osteoklastů, hypofyzárně-skeletální osy, syndrom neadekvátní sekrece adiuretinu (SIADH) a možný vliv porušené acidobazické rovnováhy., The authors present a case-report of a 73years old woman treated for arterial hypertension within past 15 years with diuretics (thiazides, amiloride and indapamide) and concomitantly with antidepressive trazodone. The patient developed severe osteoporosis after 6 years of such a treatment with multiple fractures even after minor trauma; during whole this period severe hyponatremia without adequate supplementation was documented. Most probably, there exists tight relationship of osteoporosis and hyponatremia in this patient – the authors discuss possible pathophysiological mechanisms at the level of renal tubules, osteoblasts and osteoclasts, hypopituitary-skeletal axis, syndrome of inadequate adiuretin secretion (SIADH) and possible influence of acid-base balance disturbances., and Pavel Polák, Petr Husa, Hana Matějovská Kubešová